CLEAN LIVES: 1 STEP AT A TIME

They're taking one step at a time and are steadily seeing
progress.

This sums up the lifestyle changes being made by the 45 men who are
living a life of abstinence from substances such as alcohol and drugs
at Wagner Hills Farm. It also aptly describes the ongoing work in
building new residences for the men in north Aldergrove.

"We don't want a debt hanging over us, so we are going at the pace the
dollars provide," said Helmut Boehm, the man who has been directing
the treatment centre's operations for over two decades.

Boehm is referring to the construction of new dormitories at the
picturesque rural property, overlooking Glen Valley. The licensed
community care facility is permitted to house up to 50 men on the
property, and the two planned 1,800 sq. ft., two-storey residences
will enable them to "get rid of the old bunkhouse."

This first required installation of a sewage treatment system, very
costly at close to $50,000, but environmentally friendly.

Construction has begun on the first residence and "we're hoping to
have the shell up by Christmas, and completed by April," said Boehm.
"Then we'll immediately start on the second, hoping that all the
funding will be in place before next summer.

"We need about $400,000 and we're more than halfway there - we've set
aside $238,000. We're trusting that God will provide and it's very
gratifying to see the progress being made."

Wagner Hills is a non-profit society and receives no direct funding
from government. The residents, who are asked to commit to one year at
the facility, do pay room and board, which is often covered by social
assistance or employment insurance, or from their own pockets. They
also are required to work on the farm or at one of its businesses.

Grants and donations from charitable foundations and individuals fund
capital projects, such as the new residences at Wagner Hills. "Over
the past 25 years we've built trust in the community, a reputation for
being solid," said Boehm.

"We want to see this expand. We don't want to turn anyone away, and we
don't have a waiting list. We want the opportunity for the community
to partner with us, especially in providing accommodation.

"We'd like to talk to businesspeople, have them be part of a long term
difference, to turn addictions around."

Boehm has 32 years experience in addictions treatment, and says "the
men from Wagner Hills are not just getting clean and sober, they're
actually the best weapon against those trapped in addictions.

"We see so many businesses struggle with addictions in the workplace -
the lack of productivity, absence, also theft - and recovery homes are
positive and the best thing to turn the whole community around."

To this end Wagner Hills focuses on having its residents actively
involved in workplaces, whether it be their own small businesses such
as Covenant Coverings, which provides tents for public events, or
working off-farm for others.

"We had a team of four men helping build condos in New Westminster,
where they were on-site examples of a different lifestyle - showing up
on time and not being distracted by substance abuse.

"We partner for life, not just months, because men need a vision for
the future. Some of them want trades but a focus on money does not
carry the day. You need to build relationships to change lives -
seeing motivated men do excellent jobs in the workplace, while making
a difference by speaking to others who are struggling.

"Thee attitude that once an addict, always an addict, is not true. We
see lives changing for life - abstinent and not just selfishly serving
one's self."

The residents also serve on the streets of the region, offering help
to those caught up in self-destructive lifestyles or serving food at
meals for the homeless. All residents are encouraged to work towards
becoming "servant leaders" providing on-call 24-7 assistance to their
partners, as well as in training others.

"The miracles we're seeing are not just human efforts," said Boehm.
"It's not Wagner Hills, we're just a tool. God makes the difference."
Persons interested in getting help for an addicted friend or family
member - or providing help to Wagner Hills Farms' work - may call
Helmut Boehm or any of the staff at the facility at any time. The
number is 604-856-9432.

SIDEBAR:

How Do I Help My Friend Who Is Addicted?

"Tough Love" by Helmut Boehm: "After hope and prayer, comes tough love. Not
wishy-washy love that enables the addiction, but love that says, 'No, I'm
not going to help you kill yourself. I'm challenging you, my friend, to
choose to live, even if it's painful. I'm challenging you to trust in God's
plan for each one of us: A purpose and a destiny of why we have been given
life on planet Earth.' Tough love never gives up. Tough love continues to
love, even when rejected by my friend. Deep down, my friend knows I love them."